Man remanded in custody for murder after 14-year-old boy stabbed to death

A 35-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a teenager who was chased and stabbed to death.

Dea-John Reid, 14, was killed in College Road, in the Kingstanding area of ​​Birmingham, around 7.30pm on Monday.

Michael Shields, of Alvis Walk in Castle Bromwich, appeared at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on Thursday charged with murder.

He was not required to plead guilty and was remanded in custody until Friday, when he will appear at the city's crown court.

A 38-year-old man and a 14-year-old boy remain in custody for questioning, police added.

Two men aged 36 and 33 and a 13-year-old boy were released without further action.

Police said racist comments were directed at Dea-John before he was killed, and urged any witnesses to the “precursor incident” to come forward.

Officers previously said there was “nothing to suggest” the stabbing was racially motivated.

Dea-John's family paid tribute to the “incredibly talented” teenager on Wednesday and called for an end to knife crime, saying: “How many more mothers will have to cry over their sons for this to stop?”

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Mobberley said: “This is a significant step forward in our investigation, but we are still pursuing all lines of inquiry to trace anyone else involved in Dea’s tragic death -John.

“We are investigating all the circumstances which led to the events of Monday evening and anyone with information should contact us.”

West Midlands Police voluntarily referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after “reviewing previous incidents involving the victim”.

The force said a post mortem confirmed Dea-John died from a stab wound to the chest.